Eleanor R. (nee: Jander) Kirkendoll, 85, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
A lifetime resident, Eleanor was born in Racine on November 7, 1923 to the late Otto and Frieda (nee: Schwandt) Jander. A 1942 graduate of Washington Park High School, she was employed in the office of Racine Co-op.
On November 9, 1946 in the parsonage of St. Edward Catholic Church, Eleanor was united in marriage with the love of her life, Robert L. Kirkendoll, by Father Richard Schaefer. Eleanor has been a devoted and faithful member of St. Lucy Catholic Church.
Eleanor was a tireless member of the Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Auxiliary, logging over 13, 000 volunteer hours over the years, and was active in founding the Christmas House. Among her interests, she enjoyed singing, creating ceramics, counting cross-stitch and was past-president of the Jim Beam Bottle Club. Above all, as a passionate people person, she loved nothing more than being in the midst of family and friends.
Surviving are her loving husband, Bob; sister-in-law, Shirley (Frank) Teigland; brother-in-law, James Hawes; and many treasured nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents, Eleanor was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald (Pat) Jander; sisters, Irma (Wally) Kotoff, Adeline (Rev. Oliver) Carlson and Eunice Hawes; Bob’s parents, Frank and Florence (nee: Ayers) Kirkendoll; and brother-in-law, John (Helen) Kirkendoll.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Eleanor and Bob’s 63rd Wedding Anniversary, Monday, November 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Monday from 4-6 pm. Private entombment will take place in the crypts of West Lawn Memorial Park. In memory of Eleanor, memorials to St. Lucy Church, All Saints Auxiliary, or to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.
Cindy Clemens says
My heart goes out to Bob and all of Eleanor’s family. Eleanor was such a dear. I can’t begin to tell you how much we will miss her as a volunteer at All Saints, and even more as a true friend. Her impish smile, her forthright counsel, her loud and hearty laugh. Eleanor was all that and more. I am better for having known her and we, at All Saints, were blessed to share in her many gifts.